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Hi,

I have a PHD in biochemistry and will be attending law school this fall part-time. I know positions exist where firms pay for you to go to law school and I also know that they are not advertised and you usually need to know someone. Well then, does anyone have any advice about getting a legal job in patent law during law school when connections are not available? My only idea so far is to send my resume to companies that do biotech patent law cases. I would be happy with a job that is flexible enough to attend school at night. Also I am in the New York NJ area.

Thanks in advance.

Not really answering your immediate question, but ATL had a (slightly over-the-top) message for you --

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I know the Patent office in DC used to have regular work for engineers attending GULC at night, but a lot of those positions have dried up or become really competitive. I'm not sure about NY/NJ, but I can't imagine things are much better there, especially outside the T14. Good luck.

Edit: Also, the Patent office didn't pay for law school tuition. I haven't heard of any such position recently.

I've never heard of a job that pays for law school. It's not the same as companies paying for b-school. If you don't have a JD, a company isn't going to hire you for your legal skills, you know?

Companies will pay for your CLE credits once you've obtained and been hired for your JD. Maybe that's what you're thinking of?

If I'm wrong, by all means ignore me, but I've just never ever heard of such a thing.

MSRP wrote:Hi,

I have a PHD in biochemistry and will be attending law school this fall part-time. I know positions exist where firms pay for you to go to law school and I also know that they are not advertised and you usually need to know someone. Well then, does anyone have any advice about getting a legal job in patent law during law school when connections are not available? My only idea so far is to send my resume to companies that do biotech patent law cases. I would be happy with a job that is flexible enough to attend school at night. Also I am in the New York NJ area.

Thanks in advance.

UTC used to pay for an entire degree. In leiu of the economy I beleive they cover up to 60k now but you still have to work. So you would have to go to school PT. This is open to all employees. I considered it but want to focus on school FT. That and UVA doesnt do PT. Good luck. Not too many places that pay for your JD in advance

It's not exactly what you asked for, but you might be able to TA courses at the University outside of the law school. Details vary, but it is usually something like tuition plus stipend. It's not guaranteed, but it can be a very good deal.

MSRP wrote:Hi,

I have a PHD in biochemistry and will be attending law school this fall part-time. I know positions exist where firms pay for you to go to law school and I also know that they are not advertised and you usually need to know someone. Well then, does anyone have any advice about getting a legal job in patent law during law school when connections are not available? My only idea so far is to send my resume to companies that do biotech patent law cases. I would be happy with a job that is flexible enough to attend school at night. Also I am in the New York NJ area.

Thanks in advance.

I have a PhD in biology as well and now at law school. These options where jobs pay your law school tuition definitely exist. There are at least a few law firms in Boston that will pay for your law school while you work for them as a patent agent. The would pay tuition PLUS pay your salary (~100K a few years ago). I was probably stupid for not pursuing it further. Now, I'm a 1L at a T14 paying for my education.

I would look to patent firms in your area. I have no idea how competitive these jobs are, but they definitely exist, or at least they did a few years ago.

If you can pass the patent bar, there are IP firms that will pay for your law school while you work as a patent agent.

Anonymous User wrote: I have a PhD in biology as well and now at law school. These options where jobs pay your law school tuition definitely exist. There are at least a few law firms in Boston that will pay for your law school while you work for them as a patent agent. The would pay tuition PLUS pay your salary (~100K a few years ago). I was probably stupid for not pursuing it further. Now, I'm a 1L at a T14 paying for my education.

I would look to patent firms in your area. I have no idea how competitive these jobs are, but they definitely exist, or at least they did a few years ago.

I did this while attending Fordham part-time. Firms in the NY area that have (or at least used to have) patent agent programs with tuition reimbursement include WilmerHale, Jones Day, Ropes & Gray, King & Spalding, Fitzpatrick Cella, Kenyon, Darby, and Frommer Lawrence. I would research the firms and contact them directly with a resume and detailed cover letter. PM me if you'd like more information.